Rock band developer Harmonix has signed on with Performance Designed Products (PDP) as the new publisher for Rock Band.

The Boston-based studio was previously attached to another peripherals maker, Mad Catz, but recent financial troubles caused a large numbver of layoffs, and presumably had a negative effect on the publishing deal in place.

As part of the new publishing deal, PDP-made controllers will start shipping this fall.

“PDP has a well-deserved reputation for innovation, customer satisfaction, and quality,” said Harmonix CEO Steve Janiak.

“They have the logistical and technical expertise to support Harmonix’s ambitious plans for the future of Rock Band, with new hardware alongside a major Rock Band 4 feature update coming this fall.”

Mad Catz controllers will continue to be sold and supported by the manufacturer.

Harmonix is currently in the middle of a crowdfunding campaign to raise $1.5M necessary for making a PC port of Rock Band 4.

37% of Mad Catz staff will be let go as part of the peripheral manufacturer’s restructuring, which is expected to be complete by the end of of FY2016, saving Mad Catz about $5 million annually as of FY2017.

The company actually had its second-highest quarterly sales to date, with a 114% year-on-year increase to $65 million. Unfortunately, it still suffered a 10% decrease in net income to $1.2 million, and its losses for the nine months to date equal $4.4 million.

It doesn’t sound like Rock Band 4 is to blame; new Mad Catz president and CEO Karen McGinnis said Harmonix’s latest generated “strong” sales, offset by “continuing softness” in the PC gaming and audio product markets. That said, Mad Catz had predicted higher sales than were in fact the case.

“Rock Band sell-through was lower than originally forecast resulting in higher inventory balances as well as lower margins due to increased promotional activity with retailers,” McHinnis said.

“Looking ahead, we are confident in our ability to further monetize our diverse range of products and are focused on updating and improving many of our product offerings to better leverage the opportunities we see ahead.”

Mad Catz is due to release its latest quarterly financials tomorrow, and things aren’t looking good for the peripheral manufacturer.

In the lead up to the release, the company announced a slew of changes to its leadership. Polygon reports president and CEO Darren Richardson has resigned and abandoned his chair on the board, replaced by former CFO Karen McGinnis. Vice president and corporate controller David McKeon will take over as CFO.

Chairman of the board Thomas Brown resigned last week, and and will be replaced by director John Nyholt. Senior VP of business affairs Whitney Peterson has also resigned, replaced by associate general counsel Tyson Marshall. Finally, former VP of product development Andrew Young has been named CTO, a new position.

Mad Catz did not offer any explanation for the rash of resignations, merely thanking the three departing executives for “their many contributions throughout the years” and recognising “the tremendous value that Thomas, Darren, and Whitney have brought to Mad Catz during their tenure”.

Nevertheless, it’s hard not to assume that tomorrow’s financials are going to be a disaster. Last year Mad Catz admitted it was dependent on Rock Band 4’s success to meet its debts and expenses, and while the rhythm action game reviewed well it doesn’t seem to have set the world on fire, and Mad Catz posted another loss that quarter – up 75% year-on-year.

Investors seem to have come to the same conclusion and imitating the proverbial rats from a sinking ship; Gamespot reports share value fell 22% in the wake of Mad Catz’s announcements. By time of writing, things were even worse.

Mad Catz, owner of HOTAS and flight sticks manufacturer Saitek, firmly believes the recent rise in sales and interest in their products is due to the rise of virtual reality.

“Last year, through most of last year? The HOTAS [Hands-on Throttle and Stick] system was the best selling product of the company,” Global PR director for Mad Catz Alex Verrey told Polygon. “That’s because of Elite Dangerous and Star Citizen and the whole VR thing. We literally couldn’t make them fast enough.”

Verry added that he “absolutely believes” the surge is due to VR, and referred to the X-52 – one of their most popular sticks, which is also represented in-game in Elite: Dangerous.

“They’ve [Frontier] coded it into the game. You can see the controls. We have an exclusive range of Star Citizen hardware hitting later this year, and that’s looking super cool. It’s taking our HOTAS products and adapting them specifically for Star Citizen.”

Verry said they’re not just selling them to consumers either, but to developers as well, revealing that HTC is using their products to demo the Vive headset at CES.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2016/01/08/vr-boosting-sales-of-flight-sticks-says-mad-catz/feed/0Rock Band 4 will be co-published at retail worldwide by Mad Catzhttps://www.vg247.com/2015/04/21/rock-band-4-xbox-one-ps4-mad-catz/
https://www.vg247.com/2015/04/21/rock-band-4-xbox-one-ps4-mad-catz/#respondTue, 21 Apr 2015 13:30:48 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=523176Rock Band 4 will be co-published at retail by Mad Catz, according to the peripheral maker.

Speaking in a post on the company blog, spokesperson Alex Verrey said Mad Catz would be in charge of distributing and promoting the game as well, with Harmonix handling digital download content and sales.

“Co-publishing the game allows us to work closer than ever before with Harmonix, delivering a seamless experience from game through hardware and ensuring that we focus on the needs of the gamer first and foremost,” wrote Verrey (via Eurogamer).

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2015/04/21/rock-band-4-xbox-one-ps4-mad-catz/feed/0Yes, Mad Catz is designing a Farming Simulator controllerhttps://www.vg247.com/2014/12/17/yes-mad-catz-is-designing-a-farming-simulator-controller/
https://www.vg247.com/2014/12/17/yes-mad-catz-is-designing-a-farming-simulator-controller/#respondWed, 17 Dec 2014 11:54:10 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=505706There are those who play videos games for fun, and those who play them to simulate real life. For the latter folk, there is nothing over the top when it comes to simulating every bit as closely to real life as possible.

Mad Catz is working with Farming Simulator developer Giants Software to produce a controller that mirrors the interface of a tractor, for better immersion.

The controller’s website says the controller will be produced under the Saitek brand and that it will feature “a properly tilted, centre-sprung steering wheel with 900 degrees of turning and a wheel turning knob.” The wheel will have a mini-stick for controlling movement out of the vehicle.

Take a look:

The controller comes with gas and brake pedals. A vehicle side panel is also in development that features a front loader control stick and fully programmable buttons for attach/detach, tool switching, reverse, lights, horn, cruise control, and more.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2014/12/17/yes-mad-catz-is-designing-a-farming-simulator-controller/feed/0Ouya’s 680-strong library releases on Mad Catz’s MOJO this springhttps://www.vg247.com/2014/03/06/ouyas-680-strong-library-releases-on-mad-catzs-mojo-this-spring/
https://www.vg247.com/2014/03/06/ouyas-680-strong-library-releases-on-mad-catzs-mojo-this-spring/#respondThu, 06 Mar 2014 16:02:12 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=454411Ouya’s 680-strong game library will be made available on Mad Catz’s MOJO this spring as part of the Ouya Everywhere initiative announced by CEO Julie Uhrman this week.

Mad Catz announced the initiative today along with a price drop for the Android micro-console: it will no run you $199.99/£179.99.

“Up until now, the game console experience has been locked inside a box,” said Uhrman. “Together with the hardware veterans at Mad Catz, we end that.

“Today’s announcement signifies the inception of a truly open platform where independent developers can bring their creations to the platforms where gamers actually play: everywhere.”

More information is available through the link.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2014/03/06/ouyas-680-strong-library-releases-on-mad-catzs-mojo-this-spring/feed/0Mad Catz releasing iOS 7 controller in April for around $80https://www.vg247.com/2014/02/24/mad-catz-releasing-ios-7-controller-in-april-for-around-80/
https://www.vg247.com/2014/02/24/mad-catz-releasing-ios-7-controller-in-april-for-around-80/#respondMon, 24 Feb 2014 10:56:54 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=450970Mad Catz has unveiled the C.T.R.L.i, an iOS 7-compatible controller that is set to launch in April for around $80.

Engadget has watermarked photos of the controller here, and as you can see, it looks quite similar to an Xbox 360 pad. That’s because it’s been modelled on the Mad Catz MLG Pro Circuit Xbox 360 peripheral.

The C.T.R.L.i connects to your iOS 7 device via Bluetooth and comes in black, white, blue, red, orange varieties. It clips on to iPhone and iPad devices and comes with four face buttons, two thumbsticks and all the other features you’d expect from a current controller.

Respawn’s debut effort releases on PC, Xbox 360 and Xbox One March 11.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2014/01/30/titanfall-accessories-announced-amazon-germany-lists-exclusive-steelbook-game-cover/feed/0Xbox One video discusses racing peripherals, two models shownhttps://www.vg247.com/2013/10/15/xbox-one-video-explains-the-tech-behind-racing-peripherals-two-models-shown/
https://www.vg247.com/2013/10/15/xbox-one-video-explains-the-tech-behind-racing-peripherals-two-models-shown/#commentsTue, 15 Oct 2013 20:27:25 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=417908Xbox One will support peripherals for racing and today Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb has released a video showing two: one from Mad Catz and the other from Thrustmaster. Joining him in the video is Microsoft’s director of strategic alliance, Branden Powell, who goes over the tech bits and how the console works with the peripherals. Also of note, a sound bar system will be released this fall with a Forza racing mode, so players will have an “appropriate sound system” to accompany their racing peripherals. Thanks, Polygon.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2013/10/15/xbox-one-video-explains-the-tech-behind-racing-peripherals-two-models-shown/feed/10MadCatz will release its Android-based M.O.J.O. console in Decemberhttps://www.vg247.com/2013/10/08/madcatz-will-release-its-android-based-m-o-j-o-console-in-december/
https://www.vg247.com/2013/10/08/madcatz-will-release-its-android-based-m-o-j-o-console-in-december/#commentsTue, 08 Oct 2013 18:22:12 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=415751MadCatz will release its M.O.J.O. Android-console in December. It will support loads of different storefronts and along with playing Android games you can stream films and music as well. Games and movies will run in 1080p on your TV and it comes with Google Play and Nvidia TegraZone pre-installed – so everything previously purchased by users through both of those services will be downloadable through the cloud on your new, shiny console. M.O.J.O costs £219.99/$249.99 and will be out on December 10. Thanks, Eurogamer.
]]>https://www.vg247.com/2013/10/08/madcatz-will-release-its-android-based-m-o-j-o-console-in-december/feed/2Killer Instinct Xbox One fight stick prototype revealed, see it herehttps://www.vg247.com/2013/10/04/killer-instinct-xbox-one-fight-stick-prototype-revealed-see-it-here/
https://www.vg247.com/2013/10/04/killer-instinct-xbox-one-fight-stick-prototype-revealed-see-it-here/#commentsFri, 04 Oct 2013 09:15:02 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=414635Xbox One is getting a branded Killer Instinct fight stick, courtesy of Mad Catz. Microsoft’s Major Nelson has revealed the prototype and the manufacturer has responded to fan feedback regarding the design.

There it is folks. Mad Catz member Mark Julio has since taken to NeoGAF to address feedback on the device, after some gamers suggested that the design appeared washed out.

He said, “I don’t think they took the thin protective sticker off the stick’s top panel. So it kinda makes the artwork look washed out. It looks much better in person.”

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2013/10/04/killer-instinct-xbox-one-fight-stick-prototype-revealed-see-it-here/feed/3Mad Catz making Force Feedback Wheel exclusively for Xbox Onehttps://www.vg247.com/2013/08/22/mad-catz-making-force-feedback-wheel-exclusively-for-xbox-one/
https://www.vg247.com/2013/08/22/mad-catz-making-force-feedback-wheel-exclusively-for-xbox-one/#commentsThu, 22 Aug 2013 15:58:25 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=401282It’s another Xbox One exclusive, but this time it’s not a game. Leading peripheral maker Mad Catz has announced that it’ll producing the Force Feedback Wheel only for Microsoft’s next-gen console. Good news for Forza fans.

The wheel includes two force feedback motors, and its anodized aluminium wheel face is removeable from the base, which will give users the option to upgrade the peripheral at a later date. It’ll be fully equipped with adjustable pedals, allowing you to customise height, resistance, and spacing for both the brake and accelerator.

“We have previously commented on how the enhanced performance of Xbox One opens up additional scope for innovation and believe that the precision engineering and customization of the Force Feedback Racing Wheel will appeal to the passionate racing gamer,” said Darren Richardson, president and CEO of Mad Catz, in a press release that announced the wheel.

The company has worked with Forza 5 developer Turn 10 Studios in designing the wheel, which is handy, because Forza 5 launches with Xbox One this November. Racers will also be able to get their hands on Need for Speed Rivals at launch, although we don’t know yet if that will support the wheel.

There’s no price just yet, but it should be out at around the same time as Xbox One.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2013/08/22/mad-catz-making-force-feedback-wheel-exclusively-for-xbox-one/feed/11MadCatz’s Mojo: firm to release its Android mini-console around the holidayshttps://www.vg247.com/2013/07/24/madcatzs-mojo-firm-to-release-its-andorid-mini-console-around-the-holidays/
https://www.vg247.com/2013/07/24/madcatzs-mojo-firm-to-release-its-andorid-mini-console-around-the-holidays/#commentsWed, 24 Jul 2013 19:12:39 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=391722Mojo, MadCatz’s Andorid console, is on slate to be released by the end of the year, according to the company.

Speaking with CVG, the company said the mini-console with USB and HDMI connections will come with a controller, and contains access to the Google Play, Amazon and Nvidia TegraZone stores.

The system is also standard Android, which means if you have purchased apps from the aforementioned stores already, all you have to do is log in and re-download them on the system.

“Because Mojo runs stock Android, you have day-one access to literally hundreds of thousands of games and applications,” said the firm’s global PR director Alex Verrey. “We’re going down a very different road to the competition and believe in being open, honest and fair with the consumer.

“We’re not offering a walled garden with a small selection of a hundred or so games. We’re not forcing gamers to use our controllers if they don’t wish to, we’re not trying to sell services or software, nor are we forcing the gamers into a walled garden. Our commitment to the gamer is simple: We’re going to deliver the most powerful Android based Micro Console on the market when we launch later this year.

“We are totally open. No small selection of games, no subscription fees. We bring the hardware, gamers bring the games. Buy games from where you want, when you want and how you want”.

While not all touchscreen games will work on it at present, the Verrey said MadCatz is working on a solution.

The gamepad is similar to Xbox 360 and features Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Smart 4.0 and is usable on Android phones. It also contains three modes for whatever game you are playing: GameSmart, Mouse mode, and PC mode.

Mojo can also “stream 1080p perfectly”, meaning it should be compatible with apps like Netflix. It will also come with “no less than 16GB internal storage”, with microSD expansion supported.

Mojo will launch around the holidays and final specs and a price are yet to be confirmed.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2013/07/24/madcatzs-mojo-firm-to-release-its-andorid-mini-console-around-the-holidays/feed/6Mad Catz reveals next-gen fightstick at E3 – videohttps://www.vg247.com/2013/06/20/mad-catz-reveals-next-gen-fightstick-at-e3-video/
https://www.vg247.com/2013/06/20/mad-catz-reveals-next-gen-fightstick-at-e3-video/#commentsThu, 20 Jun 2013 15:12:10 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=380992Eagle eyed viewers may have noticed during Microsoft’s E3 media briefing that Killer Instinct was demoed on some sexy, new hardware from Mad Catz. It was the Tournament Edition 2 Arcade FightStick, and it will be exclusive to Xbox One. Have a look at it below.

It’s a premium quality fighting game controller, and was “extensively designed with the community and professional gamer in mind.”

It will made available this holiday season.

As ever, many thanks to the big boy himself, Alex Verrey, for showing off his new stick*.

*We’ve run out of fight stick puns to use, please send us more.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2013/06/20/mad-catz-reveals-next-gen-fightstick-at-e3-video/feed/1Mad Catz PS3 accessories incompatible with PS4, no new products confirmedhttps://www.vg247.com/2013/06/20/mad-catz-ps3-accessories-incompatible-with-ps4-no-new-products-confirmed/
https://www.vg247.com/2013/06/20/mad-catz-ps3-accessories-incompatible-with-ps4-no-new-products-confirmed/#commentsThu, 20 Jun 2013 05:10:11 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=380801Mad Catz has confirmed that it’s PlayStation 3 peripherals won’t work with PlayStation 4, but hasn’t announced any new products in support of the new console.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2013/06/20/mad-catz-ps3-accessories-incompatible-with-ps4-no-new-products-confirmed/feed/6Mad Catz, Turtle Beach announce support for Xbox Onehttps://www.vg247.com/2013/06/03/mad-catz-turtle-beach-announce-support-for-xbox-one/
https://www.vg247.com/2013/06/03/mad-catz-turtle-beach-announce-support-for-xbox-one/#commentsSun, 02 Jun 2013 23:40:44 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=372684In news to be filed under “patently unsurprising”, two peripheral manufacturers have confirmed they’ll be extending their ranges to include Xbox One accessories.

According to IGN, Mad Catz’s announcement is a bit bare bones, stating only that more information will be revealed at E3 2013.

Rival Turtle Beach was a little more forthcoming, boasting that it will be one of the first companies to have compatible accessories to market when the Crossbone launches later this year; it has promised some information regarding its range will be available pre-E3 with more details at the show.

Current Xbox 360 peripherals won’t be much good to those who upgrade, as the console is not backwards compatible with software or hardware; most notably, Microsoft has done away with the chat cable found on Xbox 360 headsets.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2013/06/03/mad-catz-turtle-beach-announce-support-for-xbox-one/feed/2Mad Catz to launch mobile gaming peripheralshttps://www.vg247.com/2013/01/03/mad-catz-to-launch-mobile-gaming-peripherals/
https://www.vg247.com/2013/01/03/mad-catz-to-launch-mobile-gaming-peripherals/#respondThu, 03 Jan 2013 23:49:18 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=327217Mad Catz is adding its own line of controllers, mice, keyboards and headsets to the growing number of accessories designed for mobile gaming. Kotaku reports the GameSmart line uses Bluetooth Smart to connect to a range of devices – Android tablets and smartphones, iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches, Windows 8 tablets and PCs. The peripherals will be shown at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show next week.
]]>https://www.vg247.com/2013/01/03/mad-catz-to-launch-mobile-gaming-peripherals/feed/0Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII demo now available on Xbox Livehttps://www.vg247.com/2012/08/11/damage-inc-pacific-squadron-wwii-demo-now-available-on-xbox-live/
https://www.vg247.com/2012/08/11/damage-inc-pacific-squadron-wwii-demo-now-available-on-xbox-live/#respondSat, 11 Aug 2012 13:57:32 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=285166Mad Catz has announced a demo for Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII has been released on Xbox Live as a Gold-exclusive. Announced at E3 2011 as War Wings: Hell Catz, the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 game recreates World War II aerial maneuvers with over 20 hours of arcade-style combat, multiplayer and co-op modes in over 30 aircrafts. A collector’s edition, which includes the Pacific AV8R flight stick and the game for $99 will be available alongside the standard issue at retail on August 28.
]]>https://www.vg247.com/2012/08/11/damage-inc-pacific-squadron-wwii-demo-now-available-on-xbox-live/feed/0Mad Catz releasing Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII in Augusthttps://www.vg247.com/2012/06/20/mad-catz-releasing-damage-inc-pacific-squadron-wwii-in-august/
https://www.vg247.com/2012/06/20/mad-catz-releasing-damage-inc-pacific-squadron-wwii-in-august/#commentsWed, 20 Jun 2012 20:19:39 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=271250Mad Catz has announced Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII will be released in August. Previously announced at E3 2011 as War Wings: Hell Catz, the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 game recreated World War II aerial maneuvers with over 20 hours of arcade-style combat, multiplayer and co-op modes in over 30 legendary aircrafts. Mad Catz will also be releasing a collector’s edition which includes a flight stick called the Pacific AV8R and the game for $99. Shots of the collection along with videos of the title are below.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2012/06/20/mad-catz-releasing-damage-inc-pacific-squadron-wwii-in-august/feed/4Mad Catz accessories announced for Wii Uhttps://www.vg247.com/2012/06/05/mad-catz-accessories-announced-for-wii-u/
https://www.vg247.com/2012/06/05/mad-catz-accessories-announced-for-wii-u/#commentsTue, 05 Jun 2012 19:58:31 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=266462Mad Catz has announced a line of accessories for Wii U. Peripherals include: headphones, a Wii U GamePad dock, a two Wii Remotes dock, and a GamePad screen cover. The add-ons are expected to be available at the Wii U’s launch. More information and screens can be found over on Eurogamer.
]]>https://www.vg247.com/2012/06/05/mad-catz-accessories-announced-for-wii-u/feed/1Mad Catz Q3: profit and revenue well downhttps://www.vg247.com/2012/02/09/mad-catz-q3-profit-and-revenue-well-down/
https://www.vg247.com/2012/02/09/mad-catz-q3-profit-and-revenue-well-down/#respondThu, 09 Feb 2012 10:52:42 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=232515Mad Catz has reported a nasty three months ending December 31, showing revenue down to $46.2 million from $93 million year-over-year. Profits decreased to $11.2 million, down from $26.4 million in Q3 2010.

As reported by Gama, the lack of game-specific peripheral in the period was blamed for the drops.

“While we are not satisfied with these results, we believe a simple comparison between the fiscal third quarter of 2012 and 2011 is not a fully accurate indicator of the company’s direction and prospects,” said Mad Catz CEO Darren Richardson.

“Three years ago, the company made a strategic decision to shift its focus towards the creation of high-value products for passionate, hardcore consumers. This shift has not happened overnight and is still on-going,” he added.

Hit the link for more plastic-based details.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2012/02/09/mad-catz-q3-profit-and-revenue-well-down/feed/0Mad Catz offers three Rock Band 3 controller bundleshttps://www.vg247.com/2011/11/28/mad-catz-offers-three-rock-band-3-controller-bundles/
https://www.vg247.com/2011/11/28/mad-catz-offers-three-rock-band-3-controller-bundles/#respondMon, 28 Nov 2011 02:09:31 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=218242Mad Catz has launched three new Xbox 360 Rock Band 3 bundles promoting its officially licensed peripherals. Each comes with the game and a voucher for five Red Hot Chilli Pepper DLC tracks, along with a Fender Mustang Pro-Guitar for $150, Stratocaster guitar for $70, or Precision Bass for $80; this last one comes in three colours.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2011/11/28/mad-catz-offers-three-rock-band-3-controller-bundles/feed/0SoulCalibur V gets official Mad Catz Arcade FightStickhttps://www.vg247.com/2011/10/26/soulcalibur-v-gets-official-mad-catz-arcade-fightstick/
https://www.vg247.com/2011/10/26/soulcalibur-v-gets-official-mad-catz-arcade-fightstick/#commentsWed, 26 Oct 2011 08:40:14 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=211813SoulCalibur is back in a big way. Fight fans looking to recreate the arcade experience in their living rooms will be pleased to hear about the Mad Catz Arcade FightStick Soul Edition for Namco Bandai’s weapons-based brawler.

Mad Catz has announced it’s set to continue its recently established tradition of shipping high-quality arcade sticks for high-profile fighting titles with the Arcade FightStick Soul Edition for SoulCalibur V.

The images below, posted on the Shoryuken.com forum by Mad Catz product manager Mark Julio, show the button lay out and further detailing which looks to be customised for SoulCalibur’s unique fighting style.

“Tago-san, the producer for SOULCALIBUR V told us at E3 2011 that he wanted a stick similar to the SSFIV Chun-Li Tournament Edition FightStick,” Julio noted in his forum post. “We agreed to make something similar; but to make changes/improvements that cater to the fighting game fan and of course the SOULCALIBUR fan”

The arcade stick will be available in North America, Europe and Japan. So far, there’s no word on availability for our antipodean readers.

Elsewhere, CVG reports that Namco Bandai’s community manager, Rich Bantegui, has assured fans that guest character Ezio will be easier to master than previous guest characters.

“In general, I think that guest characters have taken a bit longer to evolve in terms of gameplay; Darth Vader and Yoda took a little more time for players to master in a competitive setting,” Bantegui said. “I don’t think you’ll see that with Ezio. He’s straightforward. You’ll be able to hop right into it, and he’s got one of the easier Brave Edges. And hey, he’s got a crossbow. You can’t beat that!”

In last week’s SoulCalibur V hands-on impressions, I noted that Ezio is certainly a better fit for the series than many of the previous guest characters and talked to Hisaharu Tago about the game’s development.

SoulCalibur V launches next for PS3 and 360 on January 31 in the US and February 3 in Europe.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2011/09/20/tuesday-shorts-ii-re4-bf3-omd-gdco-other-abbreviations/feed/0Tuesday Shorts II: MW3 sunglasses, SingStore, Dinosaurs, Type-0https://www.vg247.com/2011/08/23/tuesday-shorts-ii-mw3-sunglasses-singstore-dinosaurs-type-0/
https://www.vg247.com/2011/08/23/tuesday-shorts-ii-mw3-sunglasses-singstore-dinosaurs-type-0/#commentsTue, 23 Aug 2011 13:35:47 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=197816Time for your second round of shorts for the day. Don’t worry, it’s not as short as the shorts being sported by this fella.

Gunnar has produced and is selling new gaming eyewear with Modern Warfare 3 branding for $99. Look them over here.

Mad Catz making official Major League Gaming FightSticks and controllers for PS3 and Xbox 360. Expect to see these in stores around the holidays.

Fire Hose Games will debut its next project Go Home Dinosaurs at PAX this weekend. It’s a cross between a tower defense game with puzzle piece-shaped weapons, and it incorporates power-ups and trading cards.

]]>https://www.vg247.com/2011/07/20/wednesday-shorts-ii-rift-lostwinds-darksiders-ii-bttf-gears-3-cosplay/feed/0Mad Catz signs Xbox 360 publishing agreementhttps://www.vg247.com/2011/07/08/mad-catz-signs-xbox-360-publishing-agreement/
https://www.vg247.com/2011/07/08/mad-catz-signs-xbox-360-publishing-agreement/#commentsFri, 08 Jul 2011 04:19:17 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=185107Peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz has scored a publishing license for the Xbox 360; just another step in its avowed journey to take over the entire games industry.

“The execution of the Xbox 360 Publisher License Agreement marks an important milestone as we pursue our longer term goal of expanding our participation in developing, publishing and distributing games,” said CEO Darren Richardson in a press release, as reported by Gamefront.